Wilfork adds Haynesworth for Double Trouble

In another big, yet unsurprising move, the Washington Redskins have traded disgruntled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to the New England Patriots. Hopefully he can get back to his AFC glory days of the Titans. In return, the Redskins will be compensated with a 2013 fifth round pick.

The Patriots are expected to pick up Haynesworth’s $5 million contract without any restructuring. This move will put Haynesworth next to Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork on New England’s defensive line.

The Patriots are getting famous for picking up another team’s problem and attempting to turn it into their treasure. Randy Moss may have left on awful terms, but he set an NFL record, went to the Super Bowl, and still traded him and a seventh round pick, for a third rounder in exchange. That’s getting some bang for your buck and mostly everyone expects the Patriots to repeat that story with Haynesworth.

The Patriots are hoping Haynesworth will help a defensive line that since 2008 has registered 50 sacks — only the Steelers (31.5), Chargers (35.5) and Ravens (41.0) had fewer. In that three-year span, Haynesworth alone had 15 sacks in 34 games. Last season, the Patriots couldn’t get off the field on third down. They ranked last defensively in third-down efficiency, allowing teams to covert 47.1 percent of the time.

They also had only eight sacks on third down, tied for the third-fewest in the NFL. That inability to pressure the quarterback reared its ugly head in the postseason. In the Jets’ win over the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, Mark Sanchez on third down completed 6-of-9 attempts for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Although Haynesworth had just 6.5 sacks in his two seasons in Washington, 5.5 of them came on third down.